Sharpen Your Ax: Rest More to Do More

"A 40 hour work week? That is for lazy people" I used to think.

But, like this new study (below) points out, I did notice that it took longer for me to accomplish a task when I put in extended hours and also that I needed a time to recover after putting in those extra hours. 

More is accomplished in less time by scheduling important work within a 40 hour week and carefully guarding a time of rest for the body, mind and spirit. 

A woodcutter has to stop chopping wood to sharpen his ax. But because he does the cutting in two sessions with a rest in between, he can cut more than he would have cut in one longer session without that rest period.

It is hard for me to apply this in my life, but when I do, I am more productive. It is easier on me and the work that is of better quality besides.

Working Over 40 Hours a Week Makes You Less Productive, Not More